NEW YORK, N.Y. - Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings, Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks are the three finalists for the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.

The award is given annually "to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice, during the regular season."

Brown has spent his entire 10-year NHL career with the Kings, serving as their captain for the past six seasons. Known for his physical style of play, he donates US$50 per hit to a different charity each season among other charitable initiatives.

The 29-year-old Ithaca, N.Y., native is a finalist award for the third straight season.

Getzlaf scored a career-high 31 goals and ranked second in the NHL with 87 points to lead the Ducks to their best season in franchise history.

Anaheim's captain since 2010-11, Getzlaf has also been active in charity work off the ice.

The 28-year-old Regina native is a finalist for the first time.

Toews has served as the captain of the Blackhawks since 2008-09, when he was just 20-years-old. He has already led Chicago to two Stanley Cup titles, and off the ice works with various children's charitable causes.

The 25-year-old Winnipeg native is a finalist for the second time after finishing as a runner-up in 2012-13.

Messier, a former captain with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks, selects the three finalists and ultimate winner of the award.